Bengal teacher's arrest after mother's eye donation sparks outrage, raises alarm over cornea drive

Amir Chand Sheikh, a Krishnanagar-based school teacher and social worker, was arrested along with five family members following allegations that they had sold his mother’s corneas. 

However, multiple organisations and officials have confirmed that the donation was carried out legally, based on the deceased woman’s formal pledge.

The state-run Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital Eye Bank on Tuesday officially confirmed that it had received the donated "eye ball" of Rabeya Bibi Sheikh.

Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital Eye Bank issues statement

"We are greateful to her great soul and the near relatives for this noble eye donation activity," the hospital said in a statement, when the deceased's kins are in three-day judicial custody.

Arrest following allegations of ‘eye theft’

The controversy unfolded after Rabeya Bibi Sekh, 64, died at her home in Senpur–Shyamnagarpara on Sunday due to age-related ailments. 

Family members said she had formally pledged in October 2024 to donate her organs, including her corneas, through Ganadarpan, a Kolkata-headquartered organisation promoting organ donation since the 1970s.

Following her death, Amir contacted Santipur Marami, which runs the Ajoy De Memorial Eye Collection Centre.

A medical team arrived and retrieved the corneas following established medical and ethical protocols.

Tensions escalated when some local residents allegedly confronted the grieving family, accusing them of selling the eyes and being involved in an organ trafficking racket. 

A scuffle reportedly broke out, prompting police intervention.

Police arrested teacher and social worker Amir Chand Sheikh and other members of his family

Initially, police claimed the family was taken to the Krishnanagar police station for protection from the mob. 

However, matters took a dramatic turn when a neighbour, Rasid Shek, lodged a complaint alleging corneal theft and claiming the deceased had been ill-treated and her eyes removed for financial gain.

Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested six family members, including Amir, his brothers Abdul and Sabdul, and Abdul’s daughters Manju, Anju and Mohsina. 

They were charged with theft and remanded to judicial custody for three days by a Krishnagar court.

Family denies charges, cites documentation

Amir Chand Sheikh has strongly denied the allegations. 

“I am being framed. Five to seven people from the neighbourhood have conspired against me out of jealousy. Their intention is to destroy my career,” he said.

On his way to court, Amir reiterated, “The corneas were donated according to my mother’s pledge.”

Ganadarpan-verified document shows the woman's eyes were formally donated long before her death

Activists produced a certificate signed by Rabeya Bibi on October 17, 2024, confirming her decision to donate her eyes through Ganadarpan. 

The organisation later issued a formal statement confirming that the corneas were retrieved lawfully and ethically, strictly in accordance with her written consent, calling her decision “an outstanding example of scientific temper and humanitarian values.”

CMOH Ranjit Kumar Das said, “This is the standard procedure for eye donation. There is absolutely no question of selling eyes in this process.”

Physician Utpal Bandyopadhyay added, “Eye donation is a noble and socially significant act. Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness and proper dissemination of information about such programmes, misconceptions spread easily among the public.”

The post-mortem report, released on Tuesday, reportedly found no evidence of foul play.

Police defend action amid growing criticism

Additional Superintendent of Police Sambhab Jain stated that the arrests were made on the basis of a written complaint. 

“Selling organs, as stated in the complaint, is a heinous crime,” Jain said.

He acknowledged that counter-claims regarding the family’s innocence exist. 

“Documents that have surfaced need to be examined. The man could be a social worker, and this could actually be a case of organ donation. An investigation is on. Whatever is right will be done,” he added.

Superintendent of Police Amarnath K. defended the move, saying the action was necessary to control a volatile law-and-order situation.

“There was tension over the alleged organ donation, which led to a law and order problem. During the altercation, some people were beaten up. Eventually, a complaint was lodged, and we had to act on it,” he said. 

“Local sentiment was involved. Keeping the law and order in mind and to resolve the problem immediately, we acted on the complaint,” the official added.

He added that the authenticity of the donation could be verified by the health department and noted that no serious charges were framed, with the matter placed before the court.

People staged protests outside Kotwali Police Station in Nadia, West Bengal, and demanded unconditional release of the teacher.

Activists warn of serious setback to cornea drive

The arrests have drawn strong condemnation from social workers, science activists and religious leaders.

Ganadarpan general secretary Sudipta Saha Roy said, “We condemn the arrests. These people must be released immediately.” 

He pointed out that Amir had long been associated with awareness campaigns on organ donation.

West Bengal Imams Association chairman Md Yahiya also criticised the police action. 

“How could the police arrest the woman’s sons and their wives when they are in mourning? If the woman voluntarily pledged to donate her eyes, then nobody can cite Islam to stop it. The police should have verified the authenticity of the complaint instead of pacifying the mob,” he said.

On Tuesday, several hundred activists demonstrated outside the Krishnanagar police station. 

Kaushik Sarkar, physician and member of Jalangi Nadi Samaj, said, “It took almost 50 years to create awareness about organ donation in Bengal, and when the movement is finally gaining momentum, an irresponsible police act has shocked us.”

Dipak Roy, a science activist, alleged that the police acted without verifying facts. 

“Due to the sheer callousness of the police, a social worker has paid the price of his dedicated work with a jail term.”

Somnath, secretary of the Nadia unit of Paschim Banga Biggyan Mancha, highlighted the broader implications. 

“In India, although around eight million people die each year, only some 15,000 corneas are donated, highlighting a severe shortage. Amir's arrest may deal a serious blow to such efforts.”

India faces a critical cornea shortage, with only one cornea available for every 70 required, making awareness campaigns crucial in combating deep-rooted taboos.

Land dispute angle surfaces

Police and local sources have indicated that a long-standing land dispute exists between Sheikh’s family and some villagers, raising questions about the motive behind the complaint.

The case has now evolved beyond a local dispute into a statewide debate on organ donation, public awareness and police procedure. 

As investigations continue, activists fear the incident could discourage families from fulfilling pledges and weaken decades of work promoting eye donation in Bengal.